Mozambique: Executive reinforces call for industrial investment

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Mozambique: Executive reinforces call for industrial investment

3:22 CAT | 05 Aug 2022

The Government and the private sector assessed the business environment in the country

Mozambique’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Silvino Moreno, yesterday challenged national entrepreneurs to invest in the transformation of locally produced crops.

Silvino Moreno made the appeal during the 9th edition of the Economic Briefing, organized by the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), in which he participated virtually.

The Minister of Industry and Commerce said that Gaza province, which hosted the event, and the country in general, offer huge business opportunities in various productive areas, highlighting as an example the Limpopo Agribusiness Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Minister Moreno pointed out that Mozambique needs the commitment of the private sector to leverage production and productivity, especially in the agricultural and livestock sectors, as well as the product-processing industries.

He recalled that the SUSTENTA and PRONAI programmes constitute government interventions in structuring sectors of productive and sustainable diversification with an impact on the qualitative increase of exports, import substitution and on the stimulation of the tourism value chain, targeting the local private sector.

READ: ‘Industrialise Mozambique’ takes centre stage

“We therefore note with interest and encourage the ongoing dialogue between MozParks and the government of Gaza for the rapid implementation of an Industrial Park in the province, which will complement the recently created Special Economic Zone (ZEE),” Minister Moreno stressed.

Despite the crisis, the minister observed that Mozambique had registered progress from an economic point of view, given that, despite the 2021 trade balance for goods recording a deficit of six percent, exports grew by 55% to markets in Asia (China and India), the European Union, Africa (dominated by SADC) and the Americas.

Minister Moreno also remarked that the event held yesterday in the district of Chibuto, Gaza province, was aligned with ongoing efforts to fulfil the objectives of the Government’s 2020-2024 Five Year Program, which involves making the business environment and investment climate attractive and competitive through the continuation of actions to simplify and harmonise procedures.

Speaking on the same occasion, the Governor of Gaza, Margarida Mapandzene Chongo, acknowledged the existence of some challenges, citing the weak expansion of the industry in the province and the necessity for a Mapai dam to help mitigate the consequences of climate change, such as cyclical drought and floods.

“Our concern today is the expansion of the agro-processing industry, whose main action will be the acquisition and implementation of fruit and vegetable processing machines, given the production potential of these crops in the southern part of our province,” Governor Chongo said.

Source: Notícias